I am an English teacher from London, England. My wife, who is Turkish Cypriot, is also an English teacher. We are looking to move to Cyprus if the right opportunity crops up.

Please let me know if you are looking for a qualified professional. I know that there are a number of private schools in North Cyprus; I can teach GCSE English, and I know it would be a real advantage to have a an "English" English teacher in a school.

Yes, do tell which part of London. Maybe you taught my children???? so where in South East ? 19, 27, 25, 26, or where? I am certainly interested. Hope you don't have a cockney accent, though, as i am sure the private schools here would prefer a really good englishone. (wot, me a snob??? \Of course I am!)

But you need to approach the schools, the British Academy, the english School of Kyrenia, the Universities such as GAU, lefke, Near East, EMU etc, etc.

But there is a lot of competition! Be prepared. Also you will not get rich, although you may become rich in soul as you help tomorrow's generation to speak and write English better than many in the U.K.

so come on - which part of london. Let me relive my past! and where oh where did No.1 doyen go?????? and don't forget Mike Plant of TKOD was a Souf Londoner too. around the corner from my home. so come on - shared experiences anyone?

I am from Sidcup, which is technically in Kent. I am 26, so it is unlikely I taught any of your children...

The list you have given me is impressive -- if you have any more, that would be great. I understand what you are saying about competition, however, I have had some extended holidays in North Cyprus -- especially in Lefkosa, where my wife's Anneanne is from, and I have been told by many locals that I would "walk into a job".

Is their information incorrect? How many British, PGCE, English teachers are there in North Cyprus? It can't be too many, can it?

Oh dear, Metis, your English has been challenged! As per message 8. I agree with your critic, but I also appreciate that English in Britain now is NOT to the standard of my day (back in the Middle Ages!). I also have taught English here, north and south, Italy, Australia and of course u.K, and I know from experience that anyone who says 'you can walk into a job' probably knows absolutely NOTHING of the situation. for a start, it is increasingly difficult for foreigners to get work permits. Most places are opting for Cypriots who have graduated from unis here, and whose English is far from perfect, but.... I know several teachers whose contracts are not being renewed, so...

What to do? search the web for schools, send in your CV's, pray and wait! You might be fortunate. But be prepared to accept a salary far lower than in U.K and bear in mind the cost of rental if you need to rent. good luck.

Clarisa2, I can't for the life of me see that Metis deserved the unpleasantness in each of your posts. Are you using them to attempt to showcase your particular form of conceit, or do you actually have an inherent nasty streak?

I think I already warned Metis of the probs with work permits, rental outgoings and possible income. But I still think he should search the internet (starting with the school at the top of this page ) ; send in a CV and see what happens. Beware, Metis of those who promise things they cannot deliver! Push yourself and see what happens.

One other probl,em here is that if you are looking to teach English at Foundation level in Uni (by the way I assume you have a uni degree, or you won't get a job!) the number of teachers required is often not known until AFTER registration in |october. So it is a last minute 'Are you free' and it could be for only one term. So, do your homework.

Of course, if you have enough money to be independent for a yefar (say for rent and general living costs) then perhaps you can afford to take a chance. Again I say ; Good luck' but DO be careful before you leap.

I dont know how it works at all schools but I know several of the unis do their recruitment in May/June when the teaching year ends so you may be a bit late for those, although as Marion said some of them may need more come October depending on recruitment levels. While it's difficult to get a work permit to work in a private dershane, the universities and some of the high schools can and are getting work permits for foreigners to teach English here. A friend was recently hired, work permit and all, in June so I wouldn't worry too much about that if you have an opportunity at a reputable school come up. Plus if you are married to a Cypriot it is much easier as I can personally attest.

By the way I forgot to say I know Sidcup well. I lived at Cudham for many years and produced the church mag which got printed in Sidcup. Also have a friend still living there, but not visited for a couple of years.

Nice place. Wish I was back there, but.......

But another question? why do you want to come here> Are the opportunities lacking over there, or is it a desire to escape a system? I found it difficult not to hug young kids, nor reprimand them, which one can do elsewhere. It was also difficult working in Kent college where I could not even get the teenagers NOT to use the lift. So happy that I have worked overseas! so again, goodluck. But start sending out thoser CV's.

By the way, with regard to your work permit, you'll have no problem getting one, if there is "English" written on your degree and PGCE certificates. Otherwise, the school will still probably sort it out for you (maybe with a backhander or two), that is, if they want you badly enough.

However, you might like to consider working on the Greek side. Yes, because of the crossing, it will take you a little longer to commute, but you'd be paid more south-side and you wouldn't need a work permit. There are many English-medium schools in Nicosia :

Pay rates depend on the institution, but universities generally pay slightly better than high schools. Beware of some places, however, as teachers have had issues with on-time payment and the school paying their social security contribution. The larger and more established the institution, the safer it is likely to be.

Glad you gave the warning mahdel and not me. I have been a victim of what you said, as have many others I know, who have given up work as being too much of a headache. But I think Crumpy's idea of the south is good, if Metis is living Lefkosia. A doddle. And of course twice as much money! I wonder if I could get a job????? I worked south 20 years ago, but that was a former life!

sounds promising for you Metis. As to what money, tell me what you have been offered and I can tell you what it will buy!

wow Crumpy, I must have been working for the wrong schools. which ones pay that money? I know State schools pay much better than private ones, but you can't work in those unless you are a citizen! Or have I got it wrong again?

Well, in the north, ESK would be paying at the upper end of that scale ... and the British Academy wouldn't be far off. In the South, an experienced teacher at the English School would be taking home more than £2000 - Look at this TES advert to see the salary they will pay their new Headteacher :

Re : Msg 45 - "You can't work in state schools unless you are a citizen"

Well, my partner studied at Lefkoşa's Türk Maarif Koleji and she tells me that, at least in those days anyway, they had some British teachers there. Furthermore, I know there are currently foreigners working in the some of the state schools in Turkey - in the selective Anadolu schools for certain. However, having checked the staff list at Türk Maarif Koleji, I see they are all Turks or Turkish Cypriots - So you could be right about the situation here

Re : Msg 45 - "You can't work in state schools unless you are a citizen"

I have been asking around and it would seem that foreigners can in fact work in the state schools, but they wouldn't have the same status as the majority of their colleagues - only TRNC citizens can be "kadrolu" - it means they have more security in their job with certain benefits like the option to retire earlier.

thanks Crumpy. I know a number of London Cypriots who work in schools here, and they look and sound the same as I, but of course I am London English! As to State Schools, if you are correct (and I was told I didn't have a chance) then Metis sounds as though he could be on a winner. With free accommodation and even a reasonable salary, he will survive. depends on whether one is looking at short term or long term. and maybe the subject one teachers has a bearing too. English is far more common place than say, maths!!

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